Nick Weiser, councilman at-large, is the sharpest on Dunkirk’s legislative board. After coming aboard in 2024 — right as the fiscal crisis was beginning — he was the first council leader to scrutinize the budget, even helping other council members who had served numerous terms understand it.

So it made sense that he issued the press release last week after city Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said she would no longer be attending council meetings in the future. Both Frank Torain and Gary Frederickson are still learning the ropes in their first five months while Michael Civiletto is still gaining footing his second time around.

In issuing the comments, Weiser noted all the proper points. “The city continues to confront serious financial issues; collective bargaining contracts are expiring with three of our four unions and the council has a role in negotiations and contract approvals; residents are concerned about the delivery of city services and the impact of taxes; the Wells expansion is progressing, but it’s necessary for the mayor and council to work together to aid in this and similar economic development; and the downtown revitalization and improvements at the marina and waterfront also require the council and mayor to collaborate,” he said. “These are only a few of the major issues demanding the mayor and council’s undivided attention.”

What is wrong with the statement is everything Weiser pointed out has not been addressed once by council during the 2026 meetings. That is exactly the topic Wdowiasz was stating when she said she would no longer be at the twice-monthly meetings.

Dunkirk has a history of tripping over the loose change and not seeing the big dollar signs. Last year at this time, New York state and Gov. Kathy Hochul gave the city a $13.7 million loan.

That windfall has not fixed one thing. Dunkirk is still treading water — with or without a mayor at a council meeting.

Discussing financial solutions, not meaningless resolutions, would be a start at a brighter future for the city. If the council cannot do this, then maybe the control board proposal needs to be front and center at every meeting.

Talk is cheap. Deficits are not.